Tuesday, September 14, 2021
PATERSON, NJ - Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Paterson Police Chief Ibrahim Baycora announce that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Jenna N. Peselli, 24-years old from Newton, New Jersey, was arrested on September 13, 2021 in relation to the homicide which occurred on May 1, 2021 in the area of Totowa and Redwood Avenues in the City of Paterson. Ms. Peselli was charged with Murder, first degree; and Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first degree.
On Saturday, May 1, 2021, at approximately 6:57 p.m., members of the Paterson Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of Totowa Avenue and Redwood Avenue in Paterson, New Jersey in response to a report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located Jose Figueroa, 21-years-old from Newark, lying in the street with apparent gunshot wounds. Mr. Figueroa was immediately transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. The subsequent investigation revealed that the shooting was a
coordinated attack involving multiple shooters in multiple locations, and that Peselli was involved in the planning and execution of the shooting including transporting the shooters to the scene of the incident. Ms. Peselli surrendered to the Paterson Police Department on Monday
afternoon, September 13, 2021 without incident. Previously, on June 1, 2021, Chelsee Ramirez, 19-years old from Paterson, and a 17-year-old juvenile male, also from Paterson, were arrested; and on September 10, 2021 Ismael Leon 19-years old from Paterson, and a 17-year-old juvenile
male from Clifton, were also arrested in connection to the homicide.
Peselli is currently in custody at the Passaic County Jail. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion for the pre-trial detention of Ms. Peselli which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a date and time to be determined by the Court.
The crime of Murder has a sentencing range from a minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment; and the crime of Conspiracy to Commit Murder has a sentencing range of 10 to 20 years in prison.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.
For media inquiries concerning this case, contact Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jorge E. Morales of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at jmorales@passaiccountynj.org or at (973) 837-7706.